The Uefa president Michel Platini has wished Sir Alex Ferguson a “well-earned
retirement’’ but hopes the former Manchester United manager will be involved
in “helping shape the direction of the sport”.

Back in business? Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, could play a role at European football's governing body in the futurePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Ferguson retired last May but retains some involvement in the game as a non-executive director and club ambassador at Old Trafford and also on the end of a phone if his successor, David Moyes, needs advice. Platini indicated that he wants to tap into Ferguson’s experience. Ferguson, 71, has been on Uefa’s technical team, working for the organisation at the Champions League final at Wembley in May.

“The 2012-13 season will also be remembered as the year one of the game’s great servants called time on his career,’’ wrote Platini in his president’s message in Uefa’s season’s review released here in Monaco today. “Twice a winner of this competition as manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has left an indelible imprint on the Uefa Champions League.

“It is strange to think that a coach who has featured so prominently across the European football landscape over three decades will not be seen issuing his instructions on the touchline next term. But we hope he will continue to play a role with us behind the scenes, helping shape the direction of the sport and safeguarding its future. We wish him well in his well-earned retirement.’’

Uefa used images of Ferguson embracing his former player, Cristiano Ronaldo, after Real Madrid’s visit to Old Trafford in March as “a gesture that encapsulated the spirit of Uefa’s Respect initiative – rivals on the field, friends off it’’. Ronaldo visited his old team-mates in the away dressing-room at Bernabeu after the first leg.